On the day of the showcase.
The waiting room was quieter than usual.
After finishing their makeup, the members were focusing on their final preparations, putting on earphones or reviewing the choreography video.
Jungkook, sitting on the corner sofa, quietly looked down at the hand resting on his knee.
My habit of getting cold fingertips whenever I get nervous hasn't changed since before my debut.
Your hands are cold again.
Along with a familiar voice, a warm can of coffee was placed in my hand.
Drink up.
"What about your brother?"
"I'm okay."
Jungkook silently clutched the can.
I felt my tension gradually release from the warmth transmitted to my fingertips.
Are you nervous?
"...little."
You'll do well.
How would you know that?
A snickering sound was heard.
We've known each other for a long time.
It was a short remark, but strangely, it put my mind at ease.
We'll start rehearsal in 10 minutes!
The waiting room quickly became busy at the staff's shout.
The members headed to the hallway one by one.
Taehyung, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped walking.
As Jungkook, who was following behind, approached, he straightened the collar of his jacket without saying a word.
It's crooked.
"ah…."
Our eyes met for a moment.
Closer than expected.
Just then, another member waved from the end of the hallway.
"Hey, hurry up!"
The two took a step back at the same time.
I walked away again as if nothing had happened.
The rehearsal ended safely.
The moment I came down from the stage.
Taehyung gave a thumbs up as if nothing were wrong.
It was okay.
There were no words, but I could tell what it meant.
Jungkook also gave a small thumbs up in response.
A fleeting moment.
No one noticed, but only the two of them knew.
One hour until the performance starts.
Jungkook's phone vibrated briefly as he was touching up his makeup.
rooftop.
A one-line message.
After looking around, I quietly headed toward the emergency stairs.
The moment I opened the rooftop door, a cool breeze brushed against my face.
Taehyun, who had been leaning against the railing, slowly turned around.
You're here.
What's the matter?
A moment of silence followed.
Only the city lights were shining between the two of them.
"...I feel like things will get hectic again once today is over."
Jungkook stood beside him without a word.
They were looking at the same scenery, but were lost in different thoughts.
Much later, a low voice came out.
I keep thinking about it these days.
"..."
"Can we keep living like this, hiding it?"
Jungkook slowly exhaled.
I have to hide it.
"why."
"...because we're on the same team."
It was obvious.
That made it even more bitter.
Only the wind brushed past for a moment.
"Sometimes it's frustrating."
"...me too."
It was a short answer, but it contained the same feelings.
Taehyung, who had been standing silently for a while, cautiously reached out his hand.
Exactly 10 seconds.
Jungkook quietly gazed at that hand.
The hesitation did not last long.
Slowly, our fingertips touched.
The moment the body heat was transferred, neither of them could say a word.
They simply held each other's hands tightly, feeling only the night air.
The sound of the performance hall rehearsal could be heard faintly from a distance.
That's it.
The hand slowly dropped.
Although there was a sense of regret, no one showed it.
"let's go."
"huh."
From the moment they stepped out the rooftop door, the two were back to being the usual members.
He played pranks, laughed, and greeted the staff.
However, the 10 seconds they held hands on the empty rooftop just moments ago remained a secret between the two of them.
That short time was giving me the courage to step onto the stage.
